IMAGE INTENSIVE: New tools and a first try at knife grinding

H

Hypocrite

Joined
Apr 23, 2008
Messages
234
Well...

It's been a big week. I finally got my KMG all painted, assembled and up-and-running. Thanks to everyone who helped out troubleshooting the VFD.

I also got my new DeWalt Portaband mounted to my wall and built a new table for it... an idea I never would have come up with on my own. Bladeforums strikes again. :thumbup:

So I was out of excuses for starting my first knife. Below are some pictures of my new tools and a snapshot of my first two attempts at grinding a knife. The blade on top was ground-out yesterday. I screwed it up a bit... I took the edge too thin and my plunges are NOT straight or clean (nor are they pushed far enough toward the handle). The bottom blade was ground this morning. It came out near perfect given my lack of experience. I'd like to thank Nick Wheeler for showing me his push-stick technique.

Now all I need to do is invest in a kiln for heat treating... ;)

3446063811_619ab399d2_o.jpg

3446878228_b1c783e0b2_o.jpg

3446021689_417cab8761_o.jpg

3446878344_3e1f8e2c71_o.jpg


Erin
 
Last edited:
That grinder looks pretty sweet. Can you mount a flat platen on that, or are you just using the contact wheel and slack belt?

I'm curious as to why you spaced the pin holes the way you did on those two blanks.
 
James,

I can mount a flat platen... in fact, other than profiling, all of the grinding was done on a flat plate.

The pin holes have to do with the shape of the handles. Hard to describe, but I think it will look cool.:)

Erin
 
Look'n good Erin! Man... that IS one fancy ass paint-job you put on that sucker! VERY COOL! :D

That portaband sure looks familiar :)

Those blades look really good Erin! You must have been paying attention, and I must not have screwed up as bad as I thought ;) :) Or did you just do it exactly opposite of how I did it? That would probably be the safest approach! :D
 
Did you install those machines in your kitchen?! :p

Nice grinder and good job on the blades. :thumbup:
 
Cool! I wish I could use one of those belt grinders at least once before I die... :D It really has to cut down the shaping, grinding and handle profiling time. That should let anyone put more attention to the final hand finishing and polishing...
Mikel
 
Way to go Erin! That is a beautiful grinder; too bad it's going to get so dirty. Really; you'll keep it wiped down for a couple of years, but eventually the drive to production will evolve to the point you're just blowing the dust off it once in a while and calling it good. :D At least, that was my experience. I used to treat my BIII like my firstborn, but now it's just my best friend.

That is a nice looking shop. Don't worry, unless you keep hanging around and letting Nick's OCD rub off on you, the shop will soon show signs of work too. I like the way you mounted your bandsaw, looks like it will stay put no matter how much weight you throw behind it.

Your blades look great! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished products. It's pretty unusual for someone to invest so deeply in their tools before they start cranking out blades. You must have the patience of a saint, in which case you're going to make fantastic knives. You're sure on the right track here as far as I'm concerned. I'm psyched to watch you go. :thumbup:
 
Let's see the platen attached to that thang! (Is it wrong to say a grinder is "sexy"? Or am I just getting weirder in my old age?)
 
Wow wow wow, nice machinery and the job on these knives are beautiful for a first...
 
Nice set up,bro!!

Davelarson is 100% correct!! i painted my grinder and had it looking all nice.now its so covered in dust and grit that most people have no idea what it is :) until the sparks fly!!

keep at it,man!
 
Great looking grinder!:thumbup:
So share with us what is the push stick technique for grinding that Nick shared with you, and since weren't there pics would be great!!!!:)
 
Nick,

The portaband is awesome. I have it set up on a cheap Harbor Freight foot switch so I can pretty much clamp the trigger in the on position (I'll usually unplug it when I leave the shop). I didn't have a chunk of stainless plate like you to make a table out of, so I had to drop $6 at Everett Steel for some plain 3/16" and spray a little green Rustoleum on it.

The visit to your shop was a great jump-start. Now I just need to schedule a couple more visits so I can see the rest of the process... HT, finish grinding, handles, etc. etc. etc.) :D


Dustin,

Nope... not my kitchen... but that IS really funny because one of the first shop-type projects I ever did was build some wood scabbards for a couple Angus Trim swords. This was done completely in the kitchen of our old apartment. How may women would let their husbands run a dremel router on the kitchen linolium? :thumbup:
butterflyscab.jpg



Mike,

The KMG is super cool. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend picking one up.:thumbup:


Dave,

My wife says that this is the cleanest she has ever seen my shop :D. For the past couple of years I have been making Wing Chun Wooden Dummies. You would not believe how much sawdust gets generated in a 9-1/2' by 22' space building one of these.
Dummy%20006%20057.jpg

I'm fortunate in that I have a decent day job to pay for my hobbies. I'm just happy if I can pay off the cost of the tools someday.:eek:


James,

I posted THIS YouTube video in my VFD troubleshooting thread. It shows the grinder up-and-running with the flat paten attached (without the toolrest). And yes... you are weird.


Thanks for the kind words galadduin.:)


Shawn,

Now what I'd really like to see is a WIP of you building one of your balis. ;)


Erin
 
Last edited:
Looks great Erin. :thumbup:
Nice job on both the tools and the knives. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
 
Excellent paint job and congrat's on a great grinder and saw.:thumbup:
 
Nice grinder Hypocrite!

I'm just up the street from you. We should get together one of these days.

I'm really interested in seeing how you mounted your bandsaw.
 
BTW: incase you didn't know, Stellar tool by Lowes in Everett carries 2x72 belts. Last time I bought some there, all they had was 36 and 80 grit Nortons. They can do special orders of different brands/grits that they don't stock.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top